Bachus May Not Be Alone in Ethics Probe

Though neither the OCE nor the Ethics Committee comment on ongoing matters, any case that is referred from the office to the committee for further action triggers a timeline after which the contents of the office’s report must be released. The committee has 45 days after receiving the case to either convene an investigative subcommittee to examine the matter or release the OCE’s findings. That window can be extended for an additional 45 days.

Financial Services ranking member Barney Frank (D-Mass.) today declined to comment on the specifics of the Bachus probe but voiced support for his fellow committee member.

“In my dealings over the years with Spencer Bachus, with whom I disagree on a number of policy issues, I have found him to be honorable and straightforward,” Frank said in a statement.